Hands on: FiTrainer Virtual Fitness Coach

It has been a long year and we are at the start of a new one, we have all eaten far too much over the Christmas period, so it is now time to do something about it. I hope that the FiTrainer Virtual Fitness Coach which was sent to us will be up to the job.

The design of the device is certainly made for the sports enthusiast, as it hooks round the back of your head. The device is nice and light, so should not cause any problem when wearing it on your head for long periods.

The controls all look simple, but I still need to have a read of the quick setup guide, best to make sure we do things right. The FiTrainer Virtual Fitness Coach does not come with a battery, so you need to fit one in first. The battery is placed behind the left ear pad, just remove the foam cover and unscrew the plastic cover. The battery needed is a AAA.

So now I am ready to go, you need to keep your finger on the start button for three seconds to switch the device on. You then need to select the exercise type, I have made by selection. You can then make a selection if you wish to have music, as the device can connect to your MP3 player. As this is my first time I have chosen to have no music output.

I have now placed the device on and also clipped the heart rate sensor on my ear; I have now pressed the start button. The narrator has said that it will now measure my heart rate. My heart rate has now been measured and now my warm-up has begun.

I hear a beat, so I have to follow the beat. I start to walk and the beat starts to get faster until it finds the right pace for me. The warm up is over and the beat got faster towards to end, which is how fast I will have to walk to keep up with the pace when on full exercise.

When you decide that you have had enough you can switch the device off, the narrator tells you well done and lets work harder next time. Remember when using products like this, always warm up first, never go straight in to the exercise routine.

I tired the same routine with my iPod connected, but it put me off a little, I liked the idea of keeping up with the beat, and the music put me off. There are a few different modes to choose from, walking, jogging and aerobics mode. The booklet that comes with the device is very useful as it gives you a workout and nutrition guide. There is also a feature on the FiTrainer Virtual Fitness Coach, where it will test your physical condition.